Opportunities in Chemistry

The National Research Council Report Opportunities in Chemistry published in 1985 (called the Pimentel Report ) described a survey of the state of science and technology in chemistry and made recommendations concerning future opportunities. One of the recommendations proposed the following ... 

Chemical engineering builds on research results from other disciplines, as well as those from its own practitioners. Not surprisingly, the most important of these other disciplines is chemistry. A vital base of chemical science is needed to stimulate future progress in chemical engineering, just as a vital base in chemical engineering is needed to capitalize on advances in chemistry. The committee endorses the recommendations contained in the NRC s 1985 report Opportunities in Chemistry, and urges their implementation in addition to the recommendations contained in this volume. 

Finally, it should not be forgotten that chemistry plays an important role as a fundamental science for these industries. Major contributions to be expected from chemistry in energy and natural resources are discussed in the 1985 report Opportunities in Chemistry. ... 

National Research Council, Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology. Opportunities in Chemistry. Washington, D.C. National Academy Press, 1985. 

FIGURE 7.5 Past methods of waste disposal threaten water supplies today. Reprinted from Opportunities in Chemistry, National Aeademy Press, 1985. 

Chemistry and materials science are inextricably linked. In fact, in the National Research Council s Opportunities in Chemistry, familiarly known as the Pimentel Report (i), can be found the following definitions from Webster A material is the substance or substances out of which a thing is constructed, and chemistry is the science that deals with the composi-... 

Pimentel, G. C. Opportunities in Chemistry National Research Council Washington, DC, 1985. 

One Cohort IV interviewee responded Blacks were denied appointments and resources that would have placed them in competitive positions... One has to acknowledge that racism limited blacks opportunities in chemistry. A Cohort V interviewee argues There is a tendency for contributions made by African Americans to be downplayed simply because they are African American or that an African American is involved. I think it is still true that if African Americans want to get the recognition deserved, they have to be much better than a white. A Cohort V interviewee from industry said ... 

Chem., Methods of Enzymology, A.J. Bard (ed.), Marcel Dekker, New York Pimental, G.C., and J.A. Coonrod. 1987. Opportunities in Chemistry Today and Tomorrow. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 244 pp. 

G. C. Pimentel and J. A. Coonrod, Opportunities in Chemistry Today and Tomorrow, National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 1987. 

In summary, container molecules open a wide field of unknown opportunities in chemistry, with more and more interesting and useful applications to be expected. 

Pimentel GC, Coonrod AJ (1985) Opportunities in chemistry. National Academy of Sciences, National Academy Press, Washington... 

In 1985 the National Academy of Sciences of the United States published a landmark study Opportunities in Chemistry which mapped out some of the important discoveries in the field over the preceding 20 years. The very first point made in the Pimentel Report (named after the chairman of the study group) was that the successful competitiveness of the chemical industry depends critically on the constant improvements of existing processes and the introduction of new ones. Thus advances in chemical catalysis and synthesis hold the key to a successful chemical industry. Indeed they estimated that a large proportion ca. 20%) of the entire US Gross National Product is generated through the use of catalytic processes. 

The emphasis of this report is placed on technical aspects of electrochemical phenomena, both those that have clearly defined commercial potential (Chapter 5, "Opportunities in Particular Technologies") and others where new understanding and capabilities may ultimately lead to new products (Chapter 6, "Opportunities for Cross-Cutting Research"). These issues were addressed only peripherally by recent studies on chemistry (Opportunities in Chemistry, National Academy Press, 1985) and chemical engineering (Committee on Chemical Engineering Frontiers Research Needs and Opportunities, a current National Research Council activity). The committee notes that the findings of these studies are compatible with those in this report. 

Conclusion Manifold challenges and opportunities in chemistry and chemical engineering exist at the interface with the environmental sciences. 

Woodburn, John H. (2002). Opportunities in Chemistry Careers. Chicago VGM Career Books. 

Chalker JM, Bemardes GJL, Lin YA, Davis BG (2009) Chemical modification of proteins at cysteine opportunities in chemistry and biology. Chem Asian J 4 630-640... 

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